Minnesota T-Wolves Blog – Page 28 – NBA Blog

Paul Millsap, Karl-Anthony Towns named NBA Players of Week

Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, April 4 through Sunday, April 10.

Millsap helped the Hawks to a 3-0 week, which included wins over the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics. He averaged 19.0 points, led the league in both rebounds (15.7 rpg) and blocks (4.33 bpg), and posted point-rebound double-doubles in all three contests. On April 9, Millsap’s 31-point, 16-rebound, five-block performance lifted Atlanta to a 118-107 win over Boston and moved the Hawks one game ahead of the Celtics for the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Karl-Anthony Towns wins nba player of week

Towns led the Timberwolves to a 3-0 week, which included wins over the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 21.3 points (seventh in the Western Conference), 10.3 rebounds (tied-sixth) and 1.67 blocks (tied-sixth). On April 9, Towns made the game-winning shot with 1.8 seconds remaining during the Timberwolves’ 106-105 win over the Trail Blazers.

Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Jeff Teague, Detroit’s Reggie Jackson, Golden State’s Stephen Curry and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford.

Josh Richardson, Karl-Anthony Towns named NBA Rookies of Month for March

Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in March.

Richardson helped the Heat go 10-5 in March by ranking second among East rookies in scoring (12.0 ppg) and assists (2.1 apg), and leading the conference’s first-year players in field goal percentage (53.7), three-point field goal percentage (58.9) and steals (1.3 spg). He averaged 29.1 minutes for the month and scored in double figures in eight of 10 games from March 9-28. His versatility was on full display March 14, when Richardson posted 17 points (including 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range), four rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals in a 124-119 win over the Denver Nuggets.

Towns, the West winner for the fifth month in a row, ranked second among rookies in scoring (21.9 ppg) and led all first-year players in rebounding (10.5 rpg) and field goal percentage (58.2). He scored in double figures in all 15 of Minnesota’s games and posted 11 games with 10 or more rebounds, adding to his franchise rookie record for double-doubles, which now stands at 48. On March 23, Towns accounted for 26 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks during a 113-104 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Denver’s Emmanuel Mudiay, New York’s Kristaps Porzingis, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Toronto’s Norman Powell.

Timberwolves sign Greg Smith for remainder of season

The Minnesota Timberwolves today signed forward/center Greg Smith for the rest of the season. Smith was originally signed to a 10-day contract on March 2, then signed to a second 10-day contract on March 12.

Smith is used sparingly, and in 10.3 minutes per game is averaging 2.3 points, on 56.3% shooting, and 1.6 rebounds over nine games for the Wolves this season. He scored four points and grabbed six rebounds in 18 minutes Mar. 4 at Milwaukee and tallied six points and four rebounds in the Wolves’ win over Mar. 5 vs. Brooklyn.

The 25-year-old Smith also appeared in 16 games with the Raptors 905 in the NBA D-League this season, averaging 12.4 points, on 51.0% shooting, and 8.3 rebounds in 27.9 minutes per game.

Smith spent three seasons with the Houston Rockets (2011-14) before joining the Dallas Mavericks in 2014-15. He holds NBA career averages of 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.5 minutes over 131 career games (12 starts).

Timberwolves announce several staff promotions

The Minnesota Timberwolves have promoted three staff members to leadership positions, including two to vice president positions.

Mike Welch has been promoted to Timberwolves and Lynx Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, Lindsay Milne to Timberwolves and Lynx Vice President of Marketing and Charlie Romans to Timberwolves Director of Membership Sales.

“We are extremely proud to announce the promotions for these three outstanding individuals,” Timberwolves President Chris Wright said. “As we look ahead to our future and what lies ahead, we are very excited to have Mike, Lindsay and Charlie leading three critical areas of our organization. They are passionate about our brands, are vested in who and what we are and they help drive our culture every day.”

In his new role, Welch will lead the day-to-day operations of the Corporate Partnership Sales and Activation teams.

As Timberwolves and Lynx Vice President of Marketing, Milne will oversee Timberwolves and Lynx branding, advertising, digital media, creative services, merchandising and events.

As Director of Timberwolves Season Memberships, Romans will oversee the day-to-day operations of the season membership team with an emphasis on growing the team’s season membership numbers.

Timberwolves sign Greg Smith to second 10-day contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed center Greg Smith to a second 10-day contract.

Smith signed his initial 10-day contract with the team on March 2. In a limited role, he has averaged 2.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per game over six contests with Minnesota.

Timberwolves sign Greg Smith to 10-day contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed forward/center Greg Smith to a 10-day contract. With the signing, Minnesota’s roster now stands at 14 players.

Smith, 25, has appeared in 16 games with the Raptors 905 in the NBA D-League this season, averaging 12.4 points, on 51.0% shooting, and 8.3 rebounds in 27.9 minutes per game. In 47 career games in the D-League, he has averaged 14.8 points on 60.6% shooting and 8.1 rebounds.

A four-year NBA veteran, Smith spent three seasons with the Houston Rockets (2011-14) before joining the Dallas Mavericks in 2014-15. He holds career averages of 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.5 minutes over 131 career games (12 starts).

Smith will wear No. 4.

Timberwolves arena renovation update

Part of the live NBA experience is the arena: how it looks, feels to be there, the views of the court, the sound system, everything. The venue matters. While of course the main point of attending a game is to actually watch the court, an awesome arena makes the experience better. Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune blog reporting the latest Timberwolves arena renovation news:

A Minneapolis City Council committee is expected to vote Tuesday on the final design, contractor costs and budget for the $129 million Target Center renovation project.

The city, which owns the building, will pay $74.5 million for the overhaul. The Minnesota Timberwolves and operator AEG will pay the balance.

Contractors M.A. Mortenson and Thor Construction have agreed to a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $102.8 million.

Timberwolves waive Andre Miller

The Minnesota Timberwolves waived guard Andre Miller today. Their roster currently stands at 14 players.

“Andre was a consummate professional and set a good example for our younger players on what it takes to be a pro in this league,” said Timberwolves general manager Milt Newton. “We wish him the best.”

Miller, in his 17th NBA season, played in 26 games for the Wolves this year, averaging 3.4 points, on 62.1% shooting, and 2.2 assists. He has career averages of 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 1,291 games.

Day after loss to Sixers, Timberwolves hold team meeting

The Philadelphia 76ers are an improved basketball team lately. Still, a loss to them can put some teams over the edge. Not to be over-dramatic; the Minnesota Timberwolves have been searching for an identity all season. But after falling to Philly yesterday, the Timberwolves (12-23 record, tied for 25th in the league) decided today was going the time for some good honest conversation. Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune reporting:

Instead of a regular practice Tuesday, the Timberwolves did a little housecleaning.

Interim coach Sam Mitchell and the players watched some film. Then players and coaches went out onto the practice court, stood in a circle near midcourt, and spent about 90 minutes clearing the air.

“We talked about what we wanted to be as a team,” Mitchell said. “Normally the coach is the one who’s always talking. But we let the players talk. What are the goals for the year, as a team, individually? And I think it was good for us.’’

Mitchell encouraged everyone to talk, both veterans and young players.

Some of the themes?

According to Mitchell, much of the talk was about sacrifice. What sacrifices – both great and small – that each player needs to make to make the team better. The need for the young players to learn to focus for the length of a game was talked about, too.

Kristaps Porzingis, Karl-Anthony Towns named NBA Rookies of Month for December, 2015

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in December.

This is the second consecutive NBA Rookie of the Month award for Porzingis, who ranked second among East rookies in scoring (12.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 rpg) and first among all rookies in blocked shots (2.20 bpg). Porzingis posted four point-rebound double-doubles and blocked three or more shots in six games. He also shot 36.6 percent (15-of-41) from three-point range for the month. During a 91-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 23, Porzingis made 4-of-5 from three-point range en route to 23 points and added 13 rebounds and four assists.

Towns, who also earns his second straight NBA Rookie of the Month award, led all first-year players in scoring (18.6 ppg) and rebounding (9.5 rpg) and ranked second in blocks (1.56 bpg). He recorded eight point-rebound double-doubles in December and produced eight games with at least 20 points. Towns shot 55.3 percent from the field for the month and made at least half his shots in 14 of 16 games. During a 123-122 overtime win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 9, Towns posted 26 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.

Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Charlotte’s Frank Kaminsky, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell, Miami’s Justise Winslow and Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor.